Plato on music, soul and body

Abstract

Plato’s reflection on the relationship between soul and body has attracted scholars’ attention since antiquity. Less noted, but worth careful consideration, is Plato’s thought on music and its effects on human beings. Discovering and emphasising the philosophical value of Plato’s treatment of the musical phenomenon, this book analyses the soul-body problem from an innovative point of view. By investigating in detail how Plato conceives of the musical experience and its influence on intelligence, passions and perceptions, it brings to light the intersection of cognitive and emotional functions in Plato’s philosophy of mind.